A running challenge co-founded by a Westbury man will raise money for the neonatal unit that cared for both his son and grandson.
The Mad March Mile will take place for its 13th year next month. Local people are invited to run a mile, or take on another physical activity, each day throughout March to raise funds for the Neonatal Unit (NNU) at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
The challenge began in 2014 when Westbury-based siblings Sean Price and Gretchen Tucker decided to motivate each other to stay active and keep fit, both mentally and physically, by running a mile every day in March. 14 friends joined them, and the Mad March Mile was born.
Care for son and grandson
Each year, a local charity is chosen to benefit. This year, all money raised will go to the NNU, where Sean’s son Ben and grandson Atlas both received care in 1989 and 2025 respectively.
When Ben was born, he weighed just 2lbs 2oz and was blue, silent and motionless. A doctor placed him under a heat lamp and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation through a small air pump. Sean recalls the doctor shaking as he saved his son’s life.
At the time, the NNU did not have rooms for parents to stay overnight, so Sean and his wife Fiona travelled three times a day to visit. Ben made excellent progress and was discharged two months later, weighing 4lbs.
“To celebrate, we drove straight from the RUH to West Wales for a holiday,” said Sean. “We had to get out of the services because it was like we were superstars. Everyone wanted to see this tiny baby, and this was twice the size he was at birth!”
Last year, Ben and Roxy had a son, Atlas, who was six weeks premature and weighed 6lbs 3oz. Visiting his grandson in the NNU, Sean was struck by the familiar smell of hand sanitiser.
“It reminded me of 36 years ago, going in every single day,” he said. “It hit me like an explosion emotionally. I had to sit down and gather my thoughts.”
Fantastic facility
Atlas spent 11 days in the NNU and is now home, fit and healthy. Sean added, ““The technology developed over those 36 years is unbelievable. It’s all in the same place, but it’s all modernised, parents can stay there, it’s a fantastic facility. I said to Ben, we need to come back and do some fundraising for these people.”
Entry to the challenge costs £15 and includes a personalised mug handmade by Trevor Pictor of White Horse Pottery, with funds raised going to the charity.
White Horse Pottery is also organising a 24-hour pottery throw down. For a donation to the NNU, participants can book a 20-minute slot to throw a pot or bowl.
To join the challenge, go to https://www.entrycentral.com/MMM2026
